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Old 12-06-2019, 19:32   #1
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Question HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Hauling the boat out TOMORROW and need to pickle membrane, but not sure how I can do it in this situation. Katadyn PowerSurvivor 80E was used daily and working perfectly until this week. Now when when I turn it on it pumps a high volume (10 times the usual) of salt water out the freshwater exit line. No brine is being produced, it's all going through. Not sure if there is a seal that could have blown or if the actual membrane has failed and what to do because I need to leave the boat in Mexico for the next few months.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
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Old 12-06-2019, 22:19   #2
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Flush with fresh water then pickle. Sort the problem when you return.
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Old 13-06-2019, 03:35   #3
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, MountainSprings.

Gary Albers literally wrote the book, “How To Survive With A PowerSurvivor Watermaker”
http://www.katadyn.ishipaco.com/docs/WatermakerBook.PDF

J.T. Halden (CF member “Tellie” http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...llie-9014.html) is a Katydyne/Spectra dealer, and offers very helpful expert advice.
Tel: (954) 515-7077
https://haldenmarineservice.com/
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Old 13-06-2019, 05:09   #4
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

If Rich is nearby he may be willing to help

Rich@cruiserowater.com
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Old 13-06-2019, 05:55   #5
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

But some pvc pipe with a cap on one end, and a clean out on the other.

Pull the membrane, rinse with fresh unchlorinated water, then place in the PVC submerged in pickling solution.

Worry about the seals later while the membrane stays biologically clean and damp in a dark hole.
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Old 13-06-2019, 06:15   #6
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Sailmonkey's suggestion is better. Clearly your watermaker is not forcing water through the membrane so running fresh water through it will only wash salt off the outside of the membrane. Submerge the membrane in distilled water until you can get back to it and deal with the problem.


Fabbian
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Old 13-06-2019, 07:33   #7
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey View Post
But some pvc pipe with a cap on one end, and a clean out on the other.

Pull the membrane, rinse with fresh unchlorinated water, then place in the PVC submerged in pickling solution.

Worry about the seals later while the membrane stays biologically clean and damp in a dark hole.
That's a brilliant idea.
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Old 13-06-2019, 07:52   #8
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Thanks so much! Very helpful info.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay View Post
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, MountainSprings.

Gary Albers literally wrote the book, “How To Survive With A PowerSurvivor Watermaker”
http://www.katadyn.ishipaco.com/docs/WatermakerBook.PDF

J.T. Halden (CF member “Tellie” Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Profile: Tellie) is a Katydyne/Spectra dealer, and offers very helpful expert advice.
Tel: (954) 515-7077
https://haldenmarineservice.com/
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Old 13-06-2019, 07:57   #9
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey View Post
But some pvc pipe with a cap on one end, and a clean out on the other.

Pull the membrane, rinse with fresh unchlorinated water, then place in the PVC submerged in pickling solution.

Worry about the seals later while the membrane stays biologically clean and damp in a dark hole.
Thanks for the advice. If I'm not able to get PVC pipe (which is likely in my location), can I basically store the membrane in anything that holds the pickling solution as long as it stays out of the sun? I'm going to have to use a garbage bag or something as time and resources are limited.
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Old 13-06-2019, 08:01   #10
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

I’d plan on replacing the membrane myself, cause if you don’t then when you return you may not have a watermaker, and it sounds like one is important to have, and parts aren’t available where you are
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Old 13-06-2019, 08:02   #11
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Quote:
Originally Posted by john61ct View Post
If Rich is nearby he may be willing to help

Rich@cruiserowater.com
Thanks! Rich is on vacation, but he responded to my email. Awesome guy!
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Old 13-06-2019, 08:03   #12
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

He sure is
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Old 13-06-2019, 08:09   #13
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

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Originally Posted by a64pilot View Post
I’d plan on replacing the membrane myself, cause if you don’t then when you return you may not have a watermaker, and it sounds like one is important to have, and parts aren’t available where you are
Unless it is the seal, then I still won't have a water-maker. But yeah it's essential in the Northern Sea of Cortez with small water tanks. But don't have time to take it apart now, so probably should get both.
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Old 13-06-2019, 09:20   #14
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay View Post
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, MountainSprings.

Gary Albers literally wrote the book, “How To Survive With A PowerSurvivor Watermaker”
http://www.katadyn.ishipaco.com/docs/WatermakerBook.PDF

J.T. Halden (CF member “Tellie” Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Profile: Tellie) is a Katydyne/Spectra dealer, and offers very helpful expert advice.
Tel: (954) 515-7077
https://haldenmarineservice.com/

Gord, man, you must live in the Matrix or something. You can provide relevant information faster than Alexa!


Thank you!
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Old 13-06-2019, 10:01   #15
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Re: HELP! Watermaker is blowing by salt water.

Here is Gary's webpage if you can see it. Go to watermaker info on left side


Ishipaco Homepage


This is for the 40E but I believe they are pretty much the same except up scaled. This helped my friend rebuild his down to the smallest valve and really understand them
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